Politics & Society

Rule by the wealthy; a society governed by its richest members.

Rule by a small, privileged clique; the clique itself.

A government whose leaders systematically loot the state for personal enrichment.

Government or governance by experts and technical specialists rather than elected politicians.

A system in which advancement is based on ability and achievement rather than birth or wealth.

A state governed by religious authority, where clerics hold political power.

Dominance, especially of one state or group over others, often cultural or ideological as well as military.

Politics based on pragmatic power calculations rather than moral or ideological principle.

An easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between states.

The re-establishment of cordial relations between countries or factions after a period of hostility.

The tactic of pushing a confrontation to the verge of disaster to force the other side to back down.

The policy of conceding to an aggressor's demands to avoid conflict, usually used disapprovingly.

The skilful management of state affairs, especially foreign policy and governance.

To grant someone the right to vote.

To deprive someone of the right to vote, or more broadly of power and a voice.

The act of freeing a group from legal, social, or political restrictions.

Active campaigning to win votes, often with connotations of cynical or manipulative tactics.

A direct vote by the whole electorate on an important question, often of sovereignty or leadership.

An electoral system in which seats are allocated in proportion to the votes each party receives.

An electoral system in which the candidate with the most votes in a constituency wins, with no need for a majority.

An election held in a single constituency to fill a vacancy between general elections.

A meeting of party members to select candidates or decide policy; also a faction within a legislature.

The largest number of votes among several candidates, even if short of an absolute majority.

A required majority larger than half, such as two-thirds, needed to pass certain measures.

To formally decline to vote either for or against a motion.

A voter without fixed party loyalty whose choice can decide an election.

A constituency, region, or group whose voting pattern reliably predicts the wider outcome.

The campaign trail; public meetings where candidates address and debate before voters.

A formal parliamentary motion that, if passed, expresses that the legislature no longer supports the government.

To formally and publicly condemn a public official for misconduct.

To discontinue a session of parliament without dissolving it.

The formal ending of a parliament's term, clearing the way for a general election.

The minimum number of members required to be present for a meeting's decisions to be valid.

In British usage, to formally put forward a motion or proposal for discussion (note: the American sense means to postpone it).

The monarch's formal approval that turns a bill passed by parliament into law.

A written law formally enacted by a legislature.

An official order issued by a ruler or government with the force of law, often bypassing the legislature.

The power to grant jobs, favours, or appointments, often used to reward political loyalty.

Favouritism shown to relatives, especially in appointments to positions of power.

The practice of appointing or favouring friends and associates regardless of their qualifications.

Government spending channelled to a politician's local district to win favour with voters.

A position that brings status or pay but requires little or no actual work.

A military or political clique that seizes power, especially after a coup.

Temporary military rule imposed over a civilian population, usually suspending normal rights.

A government declaration granting itself extraordinary powers during a crisis.

The formal withdrawal of a region or group from a larger political union or state.

The forcible incorporation of one state's territory into another.

The principle that a people has the right to decide its own political status and form of government.

A foreign policy of avoiding alliances and entanglement in other nations' affairs.

An economic policy of shielding domestic industry through tariffs and trade barriers.

Believing in or promoting equal rights and opportunities for all people.

The belief that power should rest with a privileged few, or the attitudes of such a group.

A disapproving term for a government seen as overly protective and interfering in personal choices.

Favouring minimal government intervention in the economy and society.

A government benefit that people have a legal right to receive, such as a pension or healthcare.

Of a benefit, granted only to those whose income or assets fall below a set threshold.

The system of state benefits intended to protect people from poverty and destitution.

The most disadvantaged stratum of society, marginalised from mainstream economic life.

The transformation of a poor urban area as wealthier residents move in, often displacing the original community.

A system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the state.

The enforced separation of groups, especially by race, in public life and institutions.

The process by which a minority group absorbs the culture of the wider society, sometimes by pressure.

Someone who exposes wrongdoing, corruption, or illegality within an organisation or government.

A coded political message that conveys a controversial meaning to a target group while sounding innocuous to others.

A divisive topic deliberately raised to split an opponent's coalition or mobilise one's own base.

An environment in which people encounter only opinions that reinforce their own, deepening political polarisation.

A rigid, doctrinaire adherent of a political ideology, often unwilling to compromise.

Relating to rigid, often hostile divisions between religious or political groups.

An organised dissenting group within a larger party or movement.

A deep, formal split within a party, movement, or institution.

Someone who abandons their party, cause, or country for an opposing one.

An official messenger or diplomat sent to represent a government in negotiations.

An official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.

The manner and quality of governing or administering a state, institution, or organisation.

A loyal, often unthinking functionary of a political party or bureaucratic machine.

A voter or resident represented by an elected official.

A particular segment of the population defined by shared characteristics such as age or income.

The use of political office for dishonest personal gain, especially through bribery and kickbacks. Chiefly North American in this sense; in British English, 'graft' means hard work or effort — the two senses must not be confused.

A passionate, charismatic agitator who stirs up strong political feeling.

The right to vote in public elections.

American English term for an election held outside the regular cycle to fill a seat vacated mid-term.

British English term for an undecided elector with no fixed party loyalty who may be persuaded either way.